E55 Longevity/Reliability
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
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*cough* honda *cough*
E55 Longevity/Reliability
Hello all, newbie here (long time reader) looking for some much appreciated help! So, I decided to become a proud owner of my first Benz by the end of the year. I'm specifically looking at an '05 E55 or '07 E550. I absolutely love the E55, however, have been unable to find any good research on high mileage E55's. I will definitely be getting a CPO with warranty up to 100k, but what about past that? All the cars I've had, I've pushed past 150k miles and I'm wondering how the E55 would hold up in that mileage range. Any help would be much appreciated!!
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From: So-Cal
W211 E55 AMG, ML63 AMG, Past 996GT3,ZCPM3,Brabus C32,ML 500
I have never had a car over 40K miles until my E55. SO I hope it lasts long. In this market I am stuck with it. Get it starmarked with a warranty, you will love the E55 over those other choices if you like power.
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From: Abu Dhabi
C218 CLS63TT PP Edition1, W213 E63S
its with me for about 4 yrs,
no problems untill now, my milage is 46k km
but my frind have a 2005 and crossed 140k km, he never complained about it. but on the other hand, he didn't tune it untill these days.
no problems untill now, my milage is 46k km
but my frind have a 2005 and crossed 140k km, he never complained about it. but on the other hand, he didn't tune it untill these days.
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From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
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From: P'cola, FL
'03 E55
4 yrs and 82k fairly trouble free miles.
The only "expensive" part of owning this car has been the tires, and I've probably spent more on tires in 4 years for the E55 than I have on repairs/maintenance/tires for all of my previous cars in 15 years combined.
IC pump failure, shoddy cupholder, and AMG seat badges coming off are the only repeat problems that I've had. Other than that, it's been pretty much trouble free. I drive fairly aggressive, but don't abuse the car.
The only "expensive" part of owning this car has been the tires, and I've probably spent more on tires in 4 years for the E55 than I have on repairs/maintenance/tires for all of my previous cars in 15 years combined.
IC pump failure, shoddy cupholder, and AMG seat badges coming off are the only repeat problems that I've had. Other than that, it's been pretty much trouble free. I drive fairly aggressive, but don't abuse the car.
Last edited by Hazy1; Jun 19, 2009 at 10:45 AM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
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*cough* honda *cough*
Thanks for all the responses! So it seems, following prompt maintenance, strong warranty, I should be safe atleast through 100k miles, which will last me for about 5 good years. Now, if I can just find one with 40k miles or less on it 
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From: Bay Area
2015 E63S, 2018 E63S
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,293
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From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
Cheers for that, I wouldn't have the self restraint to drive an E55 that little, especially given the performance and price!
and 4 months later the car has 23,000 trouble free miles
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Bay Area
2015 E63S, 2018 E63S
sure the price is great now but I was one of those guys that paid 80k with extended warranty. If I would have known the market was going to go the other way I would have waited and picked up 05 Gallardo, ZR1,SL65 or something of that nature. Oh well I'm happy with my soon to be 11sec stock E55 
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
A stock E55 motor would probably outlive us all.... the electronics is another issue all together.
A tuned 55 obviously stresses all components more and will be prone to more problems, but have not heard of many (any?) horror stories on this board... and lets face it we do stress this motors out pretty hard and they just lap it up...
The SBC is the only component that really gets me anxious.
A tuned 55 obviously stresses all components more and will be prone to more problems, but have not heard of many (any?) horror stories on this board... and lets face it we do stress this motors out pretty hard and they just lap it up...
The SBC is the only component that really gets me anxious.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,266
Likes: 3
From: Texas
2005 E55
Have had mine for the complete life cycle. Special ordered it in Jan 05 with every option except pano roof. Picked it up from the dealership in March 05 and it now has 46K miles. One strut developed a leak, two park sensors failed, two door sill light bulbs burned out, the SRS system failed at a connecter in the steering column, and the Sirius radio had a reception problem. Other than the strut, all the problems were very minor. I have replaced the rear tires twice, the front tires once, and the brake pads are still the original set. That ought to give an indication of how I drive it. I don't drive it overly conservatively, but I certainly don't abuse it either. Not too bad for such a complex piece of engineering excellence.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
You will. Many lease returns are rolling in with exactly those miles. I traded my "05 with 20k miles in for an '06 with 18 and have been loving it with almost 40k miles on it. I do have extended warranty and have used it for some electronic things like SRS sensor, etc. but nothing major.
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Hammer, you unleash that beast a bit more 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Hello all, newbie here (long time reader) looking for some much appreciated help! So, I decided to become a proud owner of my first Benz by the end of the year. I'm specifically looking at an '05 E55 or '07 E550. I absolutely love the E55, however, have been unable to find any good research on high mileage E55's. I will definitely be getting a CPO with warranty up to 100k, but what about past that? All the cars I've had, I've pushed past 150k miles and I'm wondering how the E55 would hold up in that mileage range. Any help would be much appreciated!!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
if these cars are not so bad why stress the warranty? im looking for a E55 right now as well and i called benz and chrysler in town who offered me a zurich warranty. bumper to bumper for 3 years 36K miles, but the cost with a 100 dollar deductable is near 10K... is it really worth it??
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,044
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211-55
if these cars are not so bad why stress the warranty? im looking for a E55 right now as well and i called benz and chrysler in town who offered me a zurich warranty. bumper to bumper for 3 years 36K miles, but the cost with a 100 dollar deductable is near 10K... is it really worth it??
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Varies
4 yrs and 82k fairly trouble free miles.
The only "expensive" part of owning this car has been the tires, and I've probably spent more on tires in 4 years for the E55 than I have on repairs/maintenance/tires for all of my previous cars in 15 years combined.
IC pump failure, shoddy cupholder, and AMG seat badges coming off are the only repeat problems that I've had. Other than that, it's been pretty much trouble free. I drive fairly aggressive, but don't abuse the car.
The only "expensive" part of owning this car has been the tires, and I've probably spent more on tires in 4 years for the E55 than I have on repairs/maintenance/tires for all of my previous cars in 15 years combined.
IC pump failure, shoddy cupholder, and AMG seat badges coming off are the only repeat problems that I've had. Other than that, it's been pretty much trouble free. I drive fairly aggressive, but don't abuse the car.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 577
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LS430
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 187
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From: Daytona Beach
2004 E55 AMG
if these cars are not so bad why stress the warranty? im looking for a E55 right now as well and i called benz and chrysler in town who offered me a zurich warranty. bumper to bumper for 3 years 36K miles, but the cost with a 100 dollar deductable is near 10K... is it really worth it??
